KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan police official says the Taliban have attacked a police checkpoint in the eastern Paktia province, wounding three policemen.

Gen. Zelmai Oryakhail, the provincial police chief, says that a Taliban suicide car bomber first targeted the checkpoint on Wednesday evening, followed by other insurgents who opened fire.

He says the attack set off a shootout in which all nine of the attackers were killed after reinforcement arrived at the scene in Zurmat district.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a text message to media claimed responsibility for the attack.

Taliban insurgents have stepped up their attacks on Afghan soldiers and police in recent months. U.S. and NATO combat troops ended their mission at the end of last year, leaving Afghan forces in charge of the country's security.